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Padres waiting to make decision on Grandal

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By Jesse Sanchez
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MLB.com |

PHOENIX -- Don't be surprised to see catcher Yasmani Grandal join the team on Tuesday in Seattle when he completes his suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Last November, Grandal was suspended for the first 50 games of the 2013 season after testing positive for testosterone. He's been playing with Triple-A Tucson since May 18.

"We're going to see what happens this weekend and see what happens [Sunday], and then get together to make a decision," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Nothing is imminent and nothing is etched in stone, but it's a high probability."

Grandal went 3-for-5 Saturday against Sacramento and is hitting .313 with three doubles and two RBIs in his first eight games at Triple-A. He has also struck out 10 times in his first 32 at-bats.

Acquired as part of the trade with Cincinnati for Mat Latos, Grandal hit .297 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 60 games after being called up last season on June 1.

It's unclear if Grandal would have been ready for the season if he had not been suspended because of the two inflamed tendons on his left side that have plagued him since the end of last season.

Jesse Sanchez is a national reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.